Sources said Shinde's assurance was in the context of pleas not to hang him given Bhullar's psychiatric problems.

As part of this assurance, the Delhi government could set up a medical board to examine Bhullar's health. But this option would be exercised only if a political decision is taken on the timing of the execution.

Government sources suggested it would become a little difficult for the home ministry to indefinitely put off Bhullar's execution when it had moved swiftly and quietly to send Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru to the gallows.

Officials, however, suggest that if a fresh mercy petition citing Bhullar's deteriorating health is filed, the home ministry may not have much of an option but to put his execution on hold pending disposal of the petition. Bhullar has been at a medical facility for the last two years but the Supreme Court had held that his medical ailment was not such that he could not be executed.